Every minute matters: Brain in F.L.A.M.E.S targets faster diagnosis for life-changing brain illness

Encephalitis International launches F.L.A.M.E.S - a bold new acronym designed to help the public and non-specialist acute medical professionals recognise encephalitis earlier by linking the condition's urgent warning signs to what it truly is: inflammation of the brain.

Encephalitis affects 1.5 million people globally every year - despite this 77% of people don't know what it is. The neurological condition causes the brain to become inflamed, most commonly due to infection or the immune system attacking the brain. For many people affected, it can feel as though their brain is literally on fire.

The new acronym has been formally recognised and published in the Journal of Neurological Sciences and was created in close collaboration with scientists, people with lived experience, caregivers and ambassadors from across the globe.

Dr Ava Easton MBE, Chief Executive, Encephalitis International said: "The development of this acronym is a huge step forward in the diagnosis and treatment of encephalitis. It provides a reference framework for people to recognise the common and serious symptoms that must not be ignored.

"The longer patients, both adults and children, go without diagnosis the more likely the devastating effects including mortality and long-term, life-changing disability."

 F.L.A.M.E.S acts as a vivid reminder and a clear prompt for the most recognised symptoms:

F - Flu-like symptoms

L - Loss of consciousness

A - Acute headache

M - Memory problems

E - Emotional or behavioural changes

S - Seizures

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), encephalitis is a serious and life-threatening neurological condition with high mortality and long-term disability, affecting people across all age groups and contributing substantially to neurological health loss worldwide.

Globally in 2021, encephalitis was ranked as the fourth leading cause of neurological health loss in children under five years and the 13th across all age groups. The WHO's recent technical brief highlights encephalitis as a growing global health threat with significant public health implications and a need for urgent action on prevention, diagnosis, care and awareness.

Australian sports broadcaster and presenter, Karen Tighe was diagnosed with encephalitis in March 2020 and is an Ambassador of Encephalitis International.

"I am passionate about sharing my experience with encephalitis because I was lucky enough to be introduced to someone when I was first diagnosed - being able to share my experience with someone who understood provided me so much comfort.

"I want to ensure anyone who is diagnosed with encephalitis in the future has access to the best treatment and the best after-care, and know they are not alone," said Tighe.

Professor Tissa Wijeratne, Chair, Department of Neurology, Western Health, Melbourne said: "This acronym is relevant and extremely useful to the community and medical practitioners in both Australia and New Zealand based on an increase in occurrence from the past few years.

"A 2023 analysis in Australia suggests that Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) is now endemic over a large part of subtropical and temperate Australia due to the 44 confirmed human cases in 2022 - which is more likely to be 4,400 to 44,000 people who may have actually been infected according to the known ratio of symptomatic to asymptomatic infection.  

 "New Zealand analysis of the incidence and frequency of different subtypes in patients aged 15 and older in Auckland and Northland regions between 2009-18 found about 1 person per 100,000 has encephalitis per year.

"Age is not a discriminating factor for encephalitis with children and adolescents being impacted. In Australia on average, about three children per 100,000 per year were hospitalised with encephalitis in 2016 with 59% of cases having no identified cause. A 2018 study from New Zealand found around 75% of clinical cases occur in children and adolescents in endemic settings."

How to support the cause

The acronym is being launched ahead of the 13th annual World Encephalitis Day (WED) happening on Sunday, 22 February 2026. Supporters are being encouraged to get involved in three easy ways:

1.       Think Brain in F.L.A.M.E.S, think encephalitis - share the F.L.A.M.E.S resources (see below)

2.       Support the WED Appeal - Donations for the dedicated appeal are welcome from 16 February 2026 and will be used to expand resources for people affected by encephalitis and strengthening global awareness

3.       Go #Red4WED - wear something red and share a photo or video on social media using #Red4WED and #WorldEncephalitisDay

Find out more and access resources here: https://www.encephalitis.info/

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

Interviews are available with Dr Ava Easton MBE and Professor Tissa Wijeratne to discuss F.L.A.M.E.S and World Encephalitis Day.

We also have three spokespeople who have been impacted by encephalitis who can be available for interviews about their experience with the condition.

Please contact Oakley Grioli (oakley@oakleygrioli.com | +61 434 295 302) to arrange.

Images

Caption: F.L.A.M.E.S infographic

Caption: Encephalitis is a brain in F.L.A.M.E.S

About Encephalitis International

Encephalitis International is a multi-award-winning non-profit and the leading global organisation dedicated to supporting people affected by encephalitis, raising awareness of the condition, and advancing research.

For World Encephalitis Day 2026, Encephalitis International will be igniting billboards across the world to raise awareness of the condition, including in Picadilly Circus, London and Times Square, New York.

Since its launch in 2014, World Encephalitis Day has reached more than 225 million people across 111 countries worldwide.

For more information, visit https://www.encephalitis.info/